SUMMARY REQUIREMENTS:
NOMINATION FOR THE AWARD OF DICTINCTION
(revised 11/2004)

This award recognizes those who have attained distinction in their field, profession, and/or public or volunteer service and are not an alumnus or alumna of the University of Minnesota. Awards of Distinction are not awarded to encourage or reward financial contributions to the University.

A nomination for an Award of Distinction should be submitted to the All-University Honors Committee. The following format is to be used:

Nominee – cannot be or have been a member of the faculty, staff, Board of Regents, or an alumnus or alumna of the University.

Nominator – must be an alumnus or alumna of the University or a current member of the faculty, staff, or student body. [Board of Regents policy requires that no disclosure is to be made to the nominee, or persons other than those writing supporting letters, until a decision is forthcoming on the nomination.]

Letter from nominator – should focus on personal knowledge of the nominee’s distinction in their field, profession, and/or public or volunteer service.

Dean, Chancellor or Vice President Support – As appropriate (indicated by the cover letter to the nomination.)

Nomination Summary – 50 words or less, restricted to outlining the nominee’s accomplishments.

Outstanding Accomplishments – one page summary highlighting the individual’s accomplishments.

Biographical Information – to include nominee’s address, telephone/fax number, date of birth, education, employment, professional and public and/or volunteer service.

Supporting Letters – three ideally from both from the nominee’s peers inside and outside the University; again, these are in addition to the letter from the nominator and should focus on personal knowledge as outlined above.

Number of Copies – 25 of each item, collated, stapled and clipped (no binders and folders).

Date for Submission – Recommend at least 6 months before the award is to be presented.

Submit to – honors committee of the appropriate college, if one exists, and if not, to the All-University Honors Committee, c/o Vickie Courtney, University Senate, 427 Morrill Hall, 100 Church Street SE, Minneapolis, MN, 55455.

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The college honors committee forwards its recommendations to the Senate All-University Honors Committee. A nomination approved by the Senate All-University Honors Committee is submitted to the President and, finally, to the Board of Regents for approval.

NOTE: Persons writing letters of nomination should know that such letters will be legally available upon request, even to an unsuccessful candidate who becomes aware of the nomination. Nominators should also make sure that writers of supporting letters are aware that their letters, too, will be available on request.

Board of Regents policy requires that no disclosure is to be made to the nominee while his or her name is under consideration.

Units sponsoring Awards of Distinction are encouraged to provide travel support when funds are available. If this is not possible or creates a hardship for the nominating unit, it is encouraged to seek partial funding through the Office of the President. In general, award and citation costs are borne by University Relations, award ceremony costs by the nominating unit, and travel expenses (except as described above) by the awardee.